Service overview
You need a Sidewalk Cafe License to place seating on the public sidewalk outside a bar or restaurant.
A sidewalk cafe must be located in an authorized area of the city in accordance with the Philadelphia Code Section 9-208 or you must have an ordinance from City Council.
Who
Business owners or their agents can apply for this license.
Requirements
Other licenses and registrations
- Business Income and Receipts Tax ID (BIRT)
- Commercial Activity License
- Food Preparation and Serving License
- Liquor License (if you plan to serve liquor)
Insurance
Liability insurance: $1,000,000 comprehensive general liability insurance including contractual liability insurance
Tax compliance
Must be current on all taxes
Where and when
Right-of-Way Unit
1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Room 940
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Online
You can apply online using eCLIPSE.
If you need help filing your application online, you can schedule a virtual appointment.
In person
You need an appointment to visit the Permit and License Center in person.
Permit and License Center
1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
MSB, Public Service Concourse
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Offices close at noon on the last Wednesday of each month.
Cost
There is a non-refundable application fee of $20, which is applied toward the balance of license fee. You must pay the balance once your application has been approved.
If you renew your license more than 60 days after the due date, you will be charged 1.5% of the license fee for each month since the license expired.
Payment methods and details
Accepted payment methods
| Where | Accepted payment |
|---|---|
| Online through the eCLIPSE application
(There is a $200,000 limit for online payments.) |
|
| In person at the Permit and License Center in the Municipal Services Building |
|
| In person at the Cashier’s Station in the Municipal Services Building
(Items paid at the Cashier’s Station will be mailed within five business days.) |
|
Checks and money orders
Check requirements
- Make all checks and money orders payable to the “City of Philadelphia.”
- The individual or company listed on the check must be listed on the application.
- Personal checks are accepted.
- Checks and money orders must have issue dates within 12 months of the transaction.
Reasons your check may be rejected
L&I will not accept checks that are missing depository information or are:
- Unsigned.
- Expired.
- Post-dated.
- Starter checks without account info.
Returned payment policy
If your check is returned unpaid for insufficient or uncollected funds:
- You will be charged a $20 fee for collection.
- You authorize the City of Philadelphia or its agent to make a one-time electronic fund transfer from your account to collect this fee directly.
- The City of Philadelphia or its agent may re-present your check electronically to your depository institution for payment.
- If the City is unable to obtain payment, the license, permit, or appeal application will be void.
- You cannot take any additional action under a permit until you have paid all fees.
- The permit or license will be revoked if the outstanding fees are not paid within 30 days.
- You cannot file or obtain additional permits until you resolve the outstanding debt.
Late license payment
If you renew your license more than 60 days after the due date, you will be charged 1.5% of the license fee for each month since the license expired.
How
To get your license:
- A copy of an accepted plot plan. The minimum required scale for plot plans is ¼ inch=1 inch.
- All cafe equipment must fit within cafe encroachment boundaries.
- The plot plan must include the intersection cards from the City Plans Unit. You can get copies of the cards by visiting room 880 in the Municipal Services Building. If you have any questions, contact the unit at (215) 686-5565.
- A copy of a notarized permission letter from the property owner (not needed for temporary events).
- A copy of three photos of the proposed cafe area showing the entire sidewalk. The three photos should show a perpendicular, left horizontal, and right horizontal view.
- Completed and signed cafe application form, typewritten or printed with an attached business card.
- A copy of the current Liquor License (if you plan to serve liquor).
- A copy of the current insurance certificate.
They will also prepare and send a package to the Liquor Control Board, if needed.
To get the license, the applicant can submit the approved application and proof of insurance online using eCLIPSE or to the License Permit Center counter with payment.
Renewal requirements
This license must be renewed annually
- Renew online through eCLIPSE or in person at the Permit and License Center
Required for renewal:
- Must be current on all City of Philadelphia taxes
- Current certificate of Liability insurance ($1,000,000 comprehensive general liability insurance including contractual liability insurance)
- Valid email address